2022 GENESIS GV70 TEST DRIVE

2022 GENESIS GV70 TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES

Chances are you don’t know where your nearest Genesis dealer is and if you’re a casual car shopper you may not even know what Genesis is.  Think of them as the best kept secret in the luxury car segment and this GV70 SUV is the epitome of why.

You don’t see a lot of Genesis models around my hometown and some of that has to do with the hour’s drive north required to get to the closest dealer.  And of course, brand recognition takes time too with Genesis having been spun off from Hyundai just 5 years ago. 

 

 

But those who’re familiar with their lineup have a passport to more attainable luxury.  I’ve evaluated each of their 3 cars and 2 SUVs and have never walked away less than impressed. 

 

 

 

But what about quality, people ask? Well, Genesis has 4 1^st place finishes under its belt among all premium brands.  Dependability?  1^st at that too in 2020.  And the G80 sedan has even taken home a 1^st place award in residual value.  So stop the excuses because if you don’t you’ll miss out on one of their buried treasures like this new GV70; an SUV that checks all of the boxes other than high price. 

 

The base 2.5T model starts at $42,000 while this more powerful 3.5T begins at about $54,000.  That scores you a 375 horsepower twin-turbo V6 and plenty of additional goodies.  Mine is fully loaded with the Sport Advanced and Sport Prestige packages totaling nearly $10,000 in optional equipment. 

 

 

Highlights include these Nappa leather seats with suede inserts in this stunning Ultramarine Blue, crazy-looking  21” wheels wearing Michelin all-seasons, carbon fiber trim, a digital gauge cluster with a 3D appearance, a brilliant head-up display, and Remote Smart Parking Assist – a nice get for those of us with tight garages. 

 

 

This GV70 is beyond loaded; you name it and it’s in here with the only glaring omission being the absence of wireless phone projection…a company problem. So whether you’re the driver, riding shotgun or being chauffeured in the rear, your comfort and convenience is completely covered.                  

 

 

Don’t bury the lede, they say, and so I’ll unequivocally tell you that for $64,000 you will not find a more appealing SUV.  If one of those stalwart luxury brands sold this it would easily come in closer to 6 figures. 

 

 

 

For example, take that Aston Martin DBX I tested earlier this year?  Yeah – this is way better than that.  So, if you appreciate style, detail, sexiness and performance the GV70 is your ride.  The only bad news is that availability is limited.

 

 

The styling perfectly melds extravagance with elegance; in Mauna Red on these 21” sport wheels with an oversized grille and bored out exhaust outlets the GV70 has huge presence.  But what about the drive?  Does it satisfy the soul as much as the sight?  That it does. 

 

 

With a maximum of 391 pound-feet of torque on tap from the 3.5-liter engine, augmented exhaust sounds in the cabin and an electronically controlled suspension, the GV70 is both a provocative go-getter and a tranquilizing SUV.  Just choose the drive mode to match your mood and let the GV70 take care of the rest. 

 

 

On the athletic side, there are Sport and Sport + modes triggering more aggressive gear changes from the 8-speed, adding weight to the precise steering, keeping more power at the rear wheels and activating the seat’s side bolsters to snug you in.  Part of the Sport Prestige Package is a limited slip differential keeping the GV70 surefooted when powering out of a turn.  And with this all-wheel drive setup as much as 50% of the power can go to the front wheels.  It handles beautifully while always maintaining an appropriate level of decorum. 

And just like Mercedes, Genesis uses a camera to preview the road ahead to proactively adjust the suspension for optimal comfort.  A launch control feature helps take the GV70 to 60mph in just under 5 seconds as long as you feed it premium gas.  This kind of performance comes at a cost however, as gas mileage is rated at 21mpg in mixed driving which puts your average annual fuel cost near $3,000. 

 

Yes, that’s a little better than its Mercedes-Benz GLC43 competitor and a little less than the BMW X4 M40i but I’m not getting 21mpg…I’m down below the 19mpg city number.  And despite how pretty this all is – and it truly is an inspired design – having 2 rotary knobs of similar size so close to one another has frequently led me to spin the wrong one when shifting…not a good feeling.          

 

 

The interior is breathtaking, the features are off the charts for this price and the performance is inspired.  But that doesn’t mean everything is perfect.  For instance, I wish there was a little more finesse to the powertrain when it comes to around the town driving…it’s not very smooth in stop and start driving. 

 

 

My gas mileage has thus far been abysmal…well below the 21mpg estimate.  And lastly why the heck can’t Hyundai, Kia or Genesis figure out how to eliminate the need for USB cables.  This clutters up an otherwise gorgeous cabin. 

 

 

The long, wide infotainment screen can be controlled by touch but it’s a little bit of a reach so you can use this rotary knob or the GV70 responds very well to voice commands. 

 

 

 

I really like Hyundai’s system; first and foremost it’s easy to use and secondly it comes with lots of neat features like the sounds of nature for relaxing moments and this neat surround view monitor with multiple views not to mention a button down here to activate it.  It has an excellent navigation system that’s tied to the adaptive cruise control, adjusting the speed for tight bends and so forth and it can receive its updates over the air. 

 

And look at the home screen – it displays real-time weather graphics so if it’s cloudy out it appears cloudy up here.  There’s an 18 speaker Lexicon Audio system with immersive sound but not to the level of the newest heavy hitters in the luxury class.  There’s even a fingerprint reader in here that lets the GV70 know it’s you so it can tailor the experience to your preferences while the phone as a key feature lets you forget the bulky key fob and use your Android device – not iPhone – to operate the vehicle. 

 

And the Advanced Safety Technologies are robust with items such as the blind spot view monitor and the best highway driving assistant not named Super Cruise.  On highways the GV70 can do a great deal of the driving for you.

 

 

 

And though this is considered a small SUV, the sizing feels perfect…not too big, not too small with cargo and passenger dimensions right in the sweet spot.

 

 

 

 

With so many SUVs from which to choose the GV70 has actually managed to stand out. 

 

 

 

 

And when you consider the purchase comes with 3 years of concierge services such as a service valet that doesn’t require you to go to the dealership, the GV70 is Genesis landing their strongest punch to date, practically daring you to ignore them.  

 

     

 

2022 Genesis GV70 AWD 3.5T Sport Prestige

2022 GENESIS GV70 TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES  |  TESTDRIVENOW 2021(c)